The Contemporary Art Galleries Association (AGAC) is a non-profit organization whose primary mandate is to further develop the recognition and prosperity of the contemporary art market in Canada. Today, AGAC regroups galleries in Montreal, Quebec, Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver. The association actively contributes to the dissemination and promotion of Canadian artists via exhibitions and other major events organized in Québec, Canada and internationally. Beyond defending the moral and economical interests of its members through a rigorous code of ethics, the association also fosters the public’s interest in visual arts and encourages the emergence of new contemporary art collectors.
To obtain the code of ethics, please click on the download link here.
Founded in 1985, AGAC has been organizing innovative activities for over 30 years to develop the art market and foster exchanges among professionals in the field, collectors, art enthusiasts, and the general public. Among the projects of the last two decades are The Spring Salon, the Gallery Rally, the Visual Arts Gala, the contemporary art fair Feature, and also Collecting Art, a guide for new collectors. Over the years, these numerous initiatives have also contributed to the visibility of AGAC galleries beyond Quebec, in cities such as Toronto, Lyon, Shanghai, and New York.
In 2007, the first edition of the Papier art fair at Square Westmount marked a significant turning point for the Association, as the fair quickly established itself as a flagship project in the visual arts community. The success and popularity of Papier have enabled AGAC to achieve growing recognition, both locally and nationally. In 2023, a new momentum is injected through the renaming of the fair, now called Plural. Under this new name, the fair has fully flourished, embracing a more radiant status, a diversity of mediums and perspectives, and an ability to capture the present moment. Thus, in recent years, AGAC’s dynamism has experienced a significant increase in its members established outside of Quebec.
At the heart of the current artistic scene, the Association embodies an entity that listens to the aspirations of its members. Dedicated to contemporary art, it also stands as a guardian of the vitality of the art market. By uniting these two pillars, it asserts itself as a major player, propelling modern artistic expression while infusing a renewed dynamism into the art landscape.